Tag: Ministry of Justice

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 July 2026.

Children in youth custody will be better protected through stronger safeguarding, dedicated social workers, tougher vetting and independent oversight.

• Dedicated social workers to investigate abuse concerns
• Stronger staff vetting, improved training and new unit to oversee child protection
• Part of Government action to make sure horrors of historical abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre are not repeated

Children in youth custody settings will be better protected from abuse under major safeguarding reforms announced by the Government today (7 July). 

Set out by the Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice Jake Richards, the new measures include stronger staff training, tougher vetting for anyone working directly with children and overhauled safeguarding processes to ensure all allegations of wrongdoing are investigated robustly and acted upon swiftly. 

Central to the reforms will be a requirement for every site in the youth estate to have access to a dedicated social worker with extensive child protection expertise. This means no serious concern can be ignored or handled only internally. It also gives each child a trusted, independent person they can turn to if something is wrong. 

Today’s intervention comes in direct response to an independent review into youth custody safeguarding arrangements published today by Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England. The Government commissioned the review following a report into the horrific abuse that took place at Medomsley Detention Centre, Co. Durham, between 1961 and 1987.  

Ministers have now accepted all 34 of Ms Trowler’s recommendations in principle, with several already implemented to ensure children in custody receive the best possible protection and the systemic failures at Medomsley are never repeated. 

This action builds on the Government’s Youth Justice White Paper published in May, which seeks to provide earlier intervention, more targeted support and tackle the root causes of youth crime.  

Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice, Jake Richards, said:     

The abuse that took place at Medomsley is a national scandal and it is right that the Government has apologised. While we cannot undo the pain suffered by victims, we can make sure nothing like it ever happens again. 

That is why we’re taking forward all 34 recommendations, including independent oversight of every abuse allegation, giving every child in custody access to a social worker, and strengthening staff vetting to keep children in custody safe. 

A system that fails to protect children in custody creates more victims, not fewer. These reforms are about breaking that cycle.

Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families for England, said:     

Following on from the Ombudsman’s important report last year into the Medomsley Detention Centre, my review examined the safeguarding challenges that persist across the youth custodial estate. I make a number of recommendations which make clear the urgent action required to better protect some of our most vulnerable children. While there have been improvements in recent years, the evidence is unequivocal: more must be done to ensure every child in custody is safe, listened to and treated with dignity. It is now incumbent upon the Government and, in turn, HMPPS and local authority children’s services to make change happen. 

Meeting children currently in custody and hearing directly about their experiences has been both a privilege and a profound responsibility. This experience, and the stories children shared, will likely stay with me forever. We owe it to them, and to those who suffered in the past, to ensure that the findings of this review lead to meaningful and lasting change.

The courage and determination of the survivors of Medomsley in their pursuit of truth and justice was instrumental to this work. Without them, the vulnerability of today’s children in custody would not have been brought into sharp relief.

Adrian Usher, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, said: 

My investigative report revealed the full scale and horror of what happened to thousands of victims at Medomsley Detention Centre. The abuse that took place there was a profound failure by those responsible for the care and protection of children and young people in custody. 

I welcome the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations from the Trowler Review and strengthening safeguarding across the youth estate. While nothing can undo the harm suffered by victims, these reforms are an important step towards ensuring lessons of the past are learned and that children in custody are better protected in the future.

Meanwhile, a new safeguarding board has been set up to monitor child protection across all youth custody sites, reporting directly to Ministers. All staff working with children in custody must now also complete mandatory safeguarding training, and enhanced criminal record checks will be renewed every three years.  

Recruitment processes have also been strengthened to better root out unsuitable candidates, with training for frontline staff being redesigned to better meet the needs of vulnerable children. 

Further action announced today includes: 

• Under the new system, a trusted adult, such as a family member, advocate or social worker, will be able to raise a complaint on a child’s behalf. 
• Welcome packs and information given to children on arrival will be redesigned so that children with reading difficulties or learning differences can understand their rights from day one. 
• The Government will take forward plans to give all children in custody the same formal protections as children in care. This will require new legislation, but in the meantime social workers will proactively check in with children and provide a safe, private space to raise any concerns. 
• A new National Practice Framework will set clear, consistent standards for how all staff working with children in custody should behave, train and develop in their careers. 
• A formal learning review process at the heart of how the Youth Custody Service approaches safeguarding, ensuring continuous improvement. 
• A review of policies, with a focus on those that do not account for the needs of children. 

The Government has apologised unreservedly to the men who suffered shocking and systematic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre. 

The youth custodial estate today bears little resemblance to the one in which the abuse took place, with children no longer detained for less serious offences and the number of children in custody having fallen significantly in the last 20 years.  

However, the Government is determined that those who do require custody receive the best care and support they need to turn their lives around. 

Today’s announcement comes ahead of a Youth Custody Transformation Plan later this year, setting out the long-term vision for a safer system which rehabilitates children, reduces crime and protects communities. 

Notes to editors 

• The Trowler Review was commissioned by the Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice and led by Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England. 
• The review makes 34 recommendations for the Ministry of Justice, the Youth Custody Service, the Department for Education, and other government partners. All recommendations are being accepted in principle. 
• The youth custodial estate comprises Young Offender Institutions, Secure Training Centres, Secure Children’s Homes and the Secure School, Oasis Restore. As health, social care and education are devolved in Wales, the majority of the actions set out in the response relate to England. 
• The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report into Medomsley Detention Centre was published in November 2025 and examined abuse that occurred at the centre between 1961 and 1987. 

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 2 July 2026.

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC further appointed as Interim Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

His Majesty the King, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has approved the further appointment of Dame Vera Baird DBE KC – for 12 months from 9 December 2026 – as the Interim Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Ministers consulted the Commissioner for Public Appointments before making this further appointment without competition which will ensure that Dame Vera will be able to lead the CCRC in implementing the recommendations of her review of the body including implementation of the recommendations from HMCPSI which has today reported on an inspection of the Commission’s casework

The CCRC

The CCRC was established by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and commenced operation in 1997. The CCRC considers – on application – cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where a miscarriage of justice is alleged or suspected. The CCRC decides if there is any new evidence or new argument which raises a real possibility that an appeal court would quash a conviction or reduce a sentence. 

The appointment of the CCRC Chair is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and this appointment complies with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments. 

Appointments of CCRC Commissioners are made by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, who receives advice from the Lord Chancellor. 

Biography

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC’s biography is as follows:

• Member of the Women’s Justice Board
• Visiting Professor in Practice at the Mannheim Centre, London School of Economics
• Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College Oxford
• Hon Professor of Law at Exeter and Newcastle Universities
• Hon Doctorates at Northumbria and Loughborough Universities
• Former Victims Commissioner for England and Wales (2019-22)
• DBE for Services to Women and Equalities 2017
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria (2012-19)
• Chair of Association of Police and Crime Commissioners 2016
• Association of PCCs’ National lead for Supporting Victims (2012-19)
• Solicitor General for England and Wales (2007-2010)
• Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice (2006-7)
• Member of Parliament for Redcar 2001-2010
• Former Practising Criminal Barrister and QC
• Author of many articles, chapters & reports, most recently The Baird Review into Greater Manchester Police.
• Patron of Respect, Operation Encompass and Board Member of Revolving Doors

Dame Vera Baird DBE KC has declared the following political activity on behalf of the Labour Party: public speaking, Chair of the Women’s Branch Horney and Friern Barnet Constituency (HFBC), Member of the General Committee of HFBC, member of the HFBC Fabian Society, Member of the Labour Women’s Network and campaigning in elections.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice in 1 July 2026.

Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd will lead a major review to make prisons safer, tackle crime and deliver long-term reform that protects the public.

• Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd to lead prison review to tackle drugs, violence and criminal gangs
• Review marks next phase of prison reform to fix prison crisis to keep the public safe
• Latest figures show prisons improving as number of assaults and self-harm incidents fall

Violence, Illicit drugs and organised crime in prisons will be rooted out, as former Home Secretary Amber Rudd leads a review into how to make prisons safer, more secure and better at cutting crime.

After inheriting a prison system days from collapse, the government took immediate action to pull our prisons back from operating in constant crisis. Recent figures show early signs of progress with rates of staff assaults, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths all falling, while inspections published over the last 12 months show improvements across a number of prisons.

Ministers are now turning to the long-term challenges facing prisons, including violence, corruption, staffing, prison capacity and the condition of the estate, ordering a review led by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd to look at the deep-rooted security and safety challenges that continue to blight jails despite the government stabilising the crisis.

The review will look at how emerging threats – from drones to cyber risks – are evolving, and what action is needed to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. It will also examine how prisons can strengthen rehabilitation, improve staffing and leadership, and ensure the estate is fit for the future, alongside preventing violence, reducing self-harm and improving day-to-day conditions.

The review will report back by December and builds on significant Government action over the last two years to stabilise the prison system and make streets safer. As well as falls in assaults against staff and self-harm, there have also been hundreds of arrests linked to smuggling illicit items into prisons.

Inspection reports published over the last 12 months have also shown improvements across a number of prisons. Of the 21 His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons reports published this year, 14 (two thirds) recorded improved Healthy Prison Test scores compared with their previous inspection.

While these figures show encouraging signs of progress, violence, assaults on staff and self-harm remain too high, underlining the need for long-term reform.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy said:

We inherited a prison system in crisis, with overcrowded jails rife with violence, drugs and organised crime. Thanks to the dedication of prison staff and the action we have taken, the system is now on a more stable footing.   

But recovery is only the first step, not the final word. This independent review will help us tackle the deep-rooted problems facing our prisons and set out a long-term plan to build a safer, more resilient system that cuts crime, reduces reoffending and delivers punishment that works.

Chair of the Independent Review into Prisons, Amber Rudd said:

Prisons are fundamental to public safety. As Home Secretary, I saw the damage that terrorism, serious violence, and organised crime can cause to communities, and the importance of ensuring prisons do not become places where criminal behaviour is reinforced. 

This review will examine how we improve the security and safety of prisons, better protect staff, and strengthen the system’s ability to reduce reoffending and keep the public safe. 

I look forward to working independently across government and with frontline staff to identify practical reforms that make prisons safer, more resilient and fit for the future.

Clinks CEO, Dr Summer Alston-Smith, said:

The Sentencing Act was a welcome first step in addressing several of the immediate challenges that have been impacting the justice system. We are therefore pleased that this review goes further and builds on the Act by taking a long-term view as to how to ensure a more sustainable and effective prison system.

The role of the voluntary sector in supporting such a system, one focused on rehabilitation, cannot be overstated. There is a wealth of evidence to draw on, which the voluntary sector has contributed to significantly over many years, and we look forward to championing the role of the sector in engagement with the review’s work.

The review will look to build on efforts already been made to keep prisons safer, with 40 million already invested to bolster prison security, alongside a further £35 million announced this month to install heavy duty steel grilles on up to 13,000 prison cell windows to stop drones smuggling contraband into jails.

This is on top of government action to build 14,000 extra prison places by 2031, with 3,100 already opened up after just 500 net places were added in the 14 years before, and investing an extra £700 million into the probation system. 

ENDS

Notes to editor

• As Home Secretary, Ms Rudd led the Government’s response to terrorism, serious violence and organised crime, and worked closely with the Ministry of Justice following the Acheson Review to strengthen prison security and tackle the threat of extremism in custody, including through the introduction of specialist separation units for the most dangerous offenders.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 29 June 2026.

People who kill their partner, or ex, to face a 25-year sentencing start point under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

• Longer sentences for murders committed by partners or exes
• DPM pays tribute to courageous campaigners who fought for historic change
• Part of Government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls

Heinous offenders who kill their partner, or ex, could face an additional 10 years in prison, under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Under the current law, most domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point, because they take place in the home with a weapon most likely already at the scene. However, for other murders where a weapon is taken to the scene with intent, the starting point is 25 years.

The Government has announced today (30 June) it intends to close this 10-year gap so that domestic murders are dealt with the same severity as other murders – regardless of whether they happen at home or anywhere else.

Domestic murders are among the most devastating crimes and often represent a culmination of prolonged trauma and abuse.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy said:

For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner – whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs.

This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.

I pay tribute to Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough whose courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve.

More than a fifth of all murders are domestic, and overwhelmingly women are the victims in these cases.

This change forms part of the Government’s commitment to halve Violence Against Women and Girls, and ensure swifter justice for victims and their families.

The change will also include important safeguards to further protect victims. This means in cases where a victim of domestic abuse kills their abuser, the existing 15-year baseline starting point will still apply.

This change was only made possible by this Government stabilising the prison system and introducing the Sentencing Act to ensure that the most dangerous offenders can always be put behind bars.

Further information:

• This change to the law is subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council.
• This measure will be introduced as soon as possible.
• Further policy details, including the application to children who murder, will be outlined in due course.
• The new starting point will apply to future murders after the date of implementation and will not be applied retrospectively.
• This work is being conducted alongside the Law Commission’s review of homicide law and sentencing, to address the disparity as quickly as possible, ahead of the review’s conclusion in 2028.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 26 June 2026.

Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding.

• Government announces latest $1 billion tranche of UK fiscal support that, pooled with partners’ support, will provide more than $4 billion in additional financing for Ukraine 
• Deputy Prime Minister leads UK Government delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk  

Ukraine’s resilience and recovery will receive a $1 billion boost through UK-backed funding announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, helping to keep vital services running throughout the war.

A $1 billion UK-backed package, approved by the World Bank, will unlock more than $4 billion in additional financing to help keep hospitals, schools and essential public services operating across Ukraine. The announcement comes as the Deputy Prime Minister leads the UK delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk today (Thursday 25 June).

During the conference, the Deputy PM confirmed approval of the latest $1 billion tranche of fiscal support for Ukraine. The funding will help unlock private sector investment, support economic growth and create skilled jobs, strengthening Ukraine’s long-term recovery and resilience.

Alongside international partners, the UK is using its economic strength to unlock bigger global backing, ensuring Ukraine can keep functioning and recover faster. 

This comes as the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced a new package worth almost £290 million to bolster Ukraine’s recovery and energy security. This investment will support judicial reforms, funding for an EU Anti-Corruption Initiative and backing for Ukraine’s Green Transition Office. 

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy commented:  

We’re backing Ukraine to keep its country running, keep the lights on in hospitals and make sure teachers get paid.

This is the largest component of the UK’s fiscal support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022 and it will protect the public services that brave Ukrainians depend on.

The UK will be at Ukraine’s side for its defence today and its rebuilding in the future. We are resolute in our pursuit of a just and lasting peace.

The UK has $5 billion in committed loan guarantees to provide additional support for World Bank lending to Ukraine. This announcement of $1 billion in support is the latest tranche of support under this commitment.  

Further information:

• The $1bn announced today marks the allocation of funding from a previously announced $5bn loan guarantee commitment to support Ukraine’s urgent fiscal needs. Of this:   
• $500m will go towards supporting a World Bank operation worth $3.35bn. This project has delivered crucial reforms, enabling private sector financing and investment; attracting skilled labour to jobs; and advancing cross-border market integration.  
• $500m will go towards a Social Protection operation worth $880m and co-financed by Japan and Germany. This operation is instrumental to modernising social assistance in Ukraine, supporting reforms in social policy, disability rights and labour market inclusion.   

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 June 2026.

Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.

• Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7
• Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home
• Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime

Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament. 

The innovative tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat. If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison. 

The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between those simply soaking up the atmosphere at pubs and fan zones where alcohol is present, and those risking a red card by actively drinking. 

The move comes as police forces and local authorities prepare for increased demand during the tournament, with alcohol often linked to incidents of violence, anti-social behaviour and disorder around major football fixtures. 

The technology is playing a significant role in the Government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which the National Audit Office estimate costs the UK economy £21 billion a year. 

Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Minister Lord Timpson said: 

Major sporting events should be a time for the country to come together and enjoy the game, not for alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder to ruin the occasion. 

Having this tech fixed around the ankle is the wake-up call to offenders and leaves them with the sobering thought that one slip-up could send them to jail.

New tagging technology is a critical tool in our efforts to punish offenders, cut reoffending and keep the public safe, and the evidence is increasingly proving its effectiveness. 

Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020. 

They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem. 

As part of the Government’s action to make streets safer, tens of thousands more criminals will be tagged over the next three years as part of a major technology expansion. 

The Government is also introducing, for the first time, a presumption that all prison leavers will be tagged on release as part of intensive supervision with the Probation Service keeping a closer eye on offenders’ behaviour.  

It is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public. 

Further information: 

• It is expected that around 7,300 offenders will wear an alcohol tag at some point during the World Cup, with around 5,000 already fitted with a tag when the tournament started and a further 2,300 expected to receive new orders. 
• This is based on the average daily rate of new start Alcohol Monitoring orders, extrapolated for the duration of the World Cup. 
• Statistics show offenders on community orders are complying with alcohol bans for 97% of the time 
• The Crime Survey indicated that 39% of victims of serious offences believed that alcohol played a factor in the incident (The nature of violent crime: appendix tables – Office for National Statistics
• Statistics show that around 20% of offenders managed in the community by the Probation Service had an identified “alcohol need” (Identified needs of offenders in custody and the community from OASys – GOV.UK

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2026.

The Ministry of Justice plans to make a series of changes to court and tribunal fees payable in HM Courts and Tribunals Service.

These changes will take place on 13 July 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. The purpose of the changes is to strengthen cost recovery, improve consistency in how and where fees are charged, and maintain fair access to justice for all.

The Help with Fees remissions scheme remains available for those with lower financial means who are unable to afford a court or tribunal fee.

The changes are:

• The introduction of an exemption to the court fee otherwise payable by local authorities applying to the family court under Section 18 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (more commonly known as ‘Jade’s Law’). This change will be in force from the date the provisions in the Act are commenced.
• Increases to fees in HM Courts and Tribunals Service to account for inflation. These include 170 fees which will increase by 2.6% in line with inflation for 2024/25 and 27 fees which will increase by an average of 34% (equivalent to £6.19) in line with accumulated inflation. Four fees will be reduced to reflect reductions in their underlying costs.
• An increase to the probate application fee to £526. This recovers the cost of an ever-improving service, and the new cost accounts for rising inflation as well as investment in delivering an efficient and modern service.
• Creating a separate, reduced fee for when someone requests copies of probate documents concurrently with their probate application, so that, instead of £16, the fee will only be £2. This will better reflect the cost of that service.
• An increase to 80 fees across the Residential Property Division of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal, including for leasehold cases, most residential property cases and park and mobile home cases. This is the second tranche of changes in a wider programme of reform to introduce a new fees framework to cases in the Property Chamber.
  • The new framework sets fees at one of five tiers, depending on case type and access to justice considerations. Most case types will attract fees of £200 for an application and £300 for a hearing, or fees of £114 for an application and £227 for a hearing.
  • A small set of case types have further reduced fees: £47 for applications to appeal a rent increase, with hearing fees waived; £23 for applications to determine a pitch fee, with hearing fees waived; and no fees at all for matters relating to urgent building safety matters.
  • These July changes apply this new framework to most cases in the Property Chamber. Fees for Electronic Communications Code and building safety cases will remain free of charge until early 2027.
  • This framework was extended to cases impacted by the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) on 1 May 2026.

Inflationary increases to court and tribunal fees

Civil Proceedings Fees Order 2008

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
1.4a	Recovery of Land – High Court	£545	£559
1.4b	Recovery of Land – County Court	£404	£415
1.5CC	Any other remedy – County Court	£377	£387
1.5HC	Any other remedy – High Court	£646	£663
1.6	Filing proceedings against an unnamed party	£67	£69
1.8a	Permission to issue proceedings	£67	£69
1.8b	Assessment of costs	£67	£69
1.9a	Permission to apply	£174	£179
1.9b	On request to reconsider at a hearing a decision on permission	£438	£449
1.9c	Permission to proceed	£874	£897
1.9d	Permission to proceed (claim not started by an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review (JR)	£174	£179
1.9(ba)	Application for judicial review where fee 1.9(b) has been paid and permission is granted at a hearing	£436	£447
2.2	Appellants/respondents notice (High Court)	£294	£302
2.3a	Appellants/respondents notice (County court small claims)	£147	£151
2.3b	Appellants/respondents notice (County court other claims)	£171	£175
2.4(a)	General application (on notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997& Court Fund Pay Out	£313	£321
2.4(b)	General application (on notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 19976 & Court Fund Pay Out	£190	£195
2.5(a)	General application (by consent/without notice) excluding s3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 & Court Fund Pay Out	£123	£126
2.5(b)	General application (by consent/without notice) excluding Protection from Harassment Act 1997 & Court Fund Pay Out	£61	£63
2.7	Application to vary a judgment or suspend enforcement	£15	£16
3.1b	Petition for bankruptcy (presented by creditor/other person)	£343	£352
3.2	Petition for an administration order	£343	£352
3.3	Any other petition	£343	£352
3.4b	Copy of a certificate of discharge from bankruptcy	£11	£14
3.5	Insolvency – other application	£318	£326
3.8	Notice of intention to appoint administrator	£57	£58
3.11	Application within proceedings (by consent/without notice)	£30	£31
3.12	Application within proceedings (with notice)	£112	£115
4.1a	Copy of a document (10 pages or less)	£11	£14
4.2	Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)	£11	£14
5.1	Where the party filing the request is legally aided	£237	£296
5.3	Issue of default costs certificate – Civil	£80	£82
5.4	Appeal (detailed assessment proceedings) – civil	£283	£290
5.5	Request/application to set aside a default costs certificate	£148	£152
5.6	On a request or application for a fixed costs determination	£398	£408
6.1	On the filing of a request for detailed assessment in the Court of Protection	£99	£102
6.2	Appeal against a Court of Protection costs assessment decision	£79	£81
6.3	Request to set aside a default costs certificate in the Court of Protection	£74	£76
7.1	Sealing a writ of control/possession/delivery (High court)	£80	£82
7.2	Order requiring a judgment debtor or other person to attend court	£67	£69
7.3a	Third party debt order or the appointment of a receiver by way of equitable execution.	£135	£139
7.3b	Application for a charging order	£135	£139
7.4	Application for a judgment summons	£135	£139
7.5	Register a judgment or order, or for permission to enforce an arbitration award, or for a certificate or a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad	£80	£82
8.1	Issue warrant of control in any other cases	£94	£96
8.2	Request for attempt of execution of warrant at new address	£37	£38
8.3	Application to require judgment debtor to attend court	£67	£69
8.4a	Application for a third-party debt order	£135	£139
8.4b	Application for a charging order	£135	£139
8.5	Application for a judgment summons	£135	£139
8.6	Issue of a warrant of possession/warrant of delivery	£148	£152
8.7	Application for an attachment of earnings order – Civil	£135	£139
8.9	Application for enforcement of an award of a sum of money or any other decision made by any court, tribunal, body or person	£54	£55
8.10	Request for an order to recover a specified road traffic debt	£10	£11
8A.1	Service of a bailiff of an order to attend County Court for questioning	£135	£139
10.1	Bills of sale	£34	£35
10.2	Official certificate of the result of a search (for each name)	£54	£67
10.3	Search, in person, of court records (per 15 minutes)	£12	£15
10.4	Appointment of a High Court judge	£692	£710
10.5	Hearing before a High Court judge (per day or part day)	£692	£710
11.1	Issue of a warrant for the arrest of a ship or goods	£21	£22
12.1	Affidavit	£14	£15
12.2	For each exhibit referred to	£2	£3
13.1a	Application – permission to appeal/extension of time	£646	£663
13.1b	Permission to appeal is not required or has been granted	£1,466	£1,504
13.1c	Appellant/respondent filing an appeal questionnaire	£1,466	£1,504
13.2	On filing a respondents notice	£587	£602
13.3	On filing an application notice	£646	£663
15.1	Request for service by a bailiff of document (see order for exceptions)	£46	£47

Family Proceedings Fees Order 2008

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
1.1	Originating proceedings where no other fee is specified	£279	£286
1.2	Filing an application for a divorce, nullity or civil partnership dissolution	£612	£628
1.3	Application for matrimonial or civil partnership order	£415	£426
1.5	Amendment of application for matrimonial/civil partnership order	£59	£61
1.6	Answer to application for matrimonial/civil partnership order	£234	£240
1.7	Application for an order of assessment of costs	£57	£58
1.8	Application for parental order	£263	£270
2.1a	Parental responsibility (s4(1)(c) or (3), 4A(1)(b) or (3) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1b	Parental responsibility (s4ZA(1)(c) or (6) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1c	Guardians (s5(1) or 6(7) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1d	Section 8 orders (s10(1) or (2) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1e	Enforcement orders (s11J(2) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1f	Compensation for financial loss (section 110(2) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1g	Change of child’s surname or removal from jurisdiction while residence order in force (s13(1) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1h	Special guardianship orders (s14A (3) or (6)(a), 14C(3) or 14D(1) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1i	Secure accommodation order (s25 Children Act 1989) – England	£263	£270
2.1j	Change of child’s surname or removal from jurisdiction while care order in force (s33(7) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1k	Contact with child in care (s34(2), (3), (4) or (9) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1l	Education supervision order (s36(1) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1m	Variation or discharge of care and supervision orders (s39 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1n	Child assessment order (s43(1) Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1o	Emergency protection orders (s44, 45 and 46 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1p	Warrant to assist person exercising powers under emergency protection order (s48 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1q	Recovery order (s50 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1s	Warrant to assist person exercising powers to search for children or inspect premises (s102 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1t	Applications in respect of enforcement orders (paragraph 4(2), 6(2), 7(2) or 9(2) of Schedule A1 Children Act 1989)	£116	£119
2.1u	Amendment of enforcement order by reason of change of address (paragraph 5(2) of Schedule A1 Children Act 1989)	£79	£81
2.1v	Financial provision for children (paragraph 1(1) or (4), 2(1) or (5), 5(6), 6(5), (7) or (8), 8(2), 10(2), 11 or 14(1) of Schedule 1 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1w	Approval of court for child in care of local authority to live abroad (paragraph 19(1) of Schedule 2 Children Act 1989) – England	£263	£270
2.1x	Extension of supervision order (paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1y	Extension or discharge of education supervision order (paragraph 15(2) or 17(1) of Schedule 3 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1z	Appeals concerning foster parents (paragraph 8(1) of Sch 8 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.1ia	Secure accommodation order (s119 Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014)	£263	£270
2.1wa	Approval of court for child in care of local authority to live abroad (s124(1) Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014)	£263	£270
2.2	Application for proceedings (s31 of the Children Act 1989	£2,515	£2,580
2.3	Appeal relating to Children Act 1989 fees 2.1(a) to 2.1(s) (v) to (y) and 2.2	£245	£251
2.4	Appeal against a contribution order under Children Act 1989	£245	£251
2.5	Appeal against a contribution order – Wales	£245	£251
2.6(a)	Cancellation, variation or removal or imposition of condition of registration of child minder or day carer (England) (s72 Children Act 1989)	£263	£270
2.6(b)	Cancellation of registration of child minder or day carer (s34 of the Children and Families Measure Act (Wales)	£263	£270
2.7	Commencing child mind or day carer appeal (s34 Children and Families Measure Act (Wales) or s72 Children Act 1989 (England))	£245	£251
3.1	Application/permission to apply for adoption	£207	£212
3.2	Application for a placement order (under s22 of the Adoption and Children Act 2022)	£556	£570
3.3	Application to the High Court	£207	£212
4.1	Application for warning notice to be attached to a contact order	£56	£57
5.1	Application (without notice)	£60	£62
5.2	Application for decree nisi, conditional order, separation order (no fee if undefended)	£61	£63
5.3	Application (on notice) (unless otherwise listed)	£190	£195
5.4	Application for a financial order	£313	£321
6.1	Filing an appeal notice from a district judge, one or more lay justices, a justices’ clerk or an assistant to a justices’ clerk	£142	£146
7.1	Search of central index of decrees absolute/final orders	£65	£89
7.3	Search of index of decrees absolute/final orders	£45	£61
8.1a	Copy of a document (10 pages or less)	£11	£14
8.2	Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)	£11	£14
9.1	Where the party filing the request is legally aided	£94	£74
9.2d	Determination of costs, where costs claimed: Exceeds £100,000 but does not exceed £150,000	£1,365	£1,400
9.4	Appeal (detailed assessment proceedings) – family	£238	£244
9.5	Request/application to set aside a default costs certificate	£125	£128
10.2	Application for a maintenance order to be registered under the Maintenance Orders Act 1950 or 1958 Act	£57	£58
11.1	Application for an order for financial provision	£245	£251
12.1	Application to question a judgment debtor or other person	£61	£63
12.2	Application for a third-party debt order/appointment of a receiver	£88	£90
12.3	Application for a charging order	£43	£44
12.4	Application for a judgment summons	£83	£85
12.5	Application for an attachment of earnings order – Family	£38	£39
13.1	Application for enforcement of a judgment or order	£114	£117
13.3	Issue for a warrant of possession or a warrant of delivery	£135	£139
14.1	Sealing a writ of execution/possession/delivery	£68	£70
14.2	On a request or application to register a judgment or order; or for permission to enforce an arbitration award; or for a certified copy of a judgment or order for use abroad.	£68	£70
17.1	Taking an affidavit/affirmation/attestation upon honour	£12	£13
17.2	For each exhibit referred to and required to be marked	£2	£3

Magistrate Court Fees Order 2008

SI Ref ID	Description	Current	New
1.1	Application for Justice of the Peace to perform function not on court premises	£29	£30
2.1	Application to state a case for the opinion of the High Court	£156	£160
2.2	Appeal (deduction from earnings order)	£22	£23
2.3	Appeal – proceedings under Schedule 5 Licensing Act 2003	£70	£72
2.4	Appeal (no other fee specified)	£70	£72
3.4	Request for certificate/certified document (no other fee specified)	£23	£24
5.1a	Copy of a document (10 pages or less)	£11	£14
5.2	Copy of a document in electronic form (for each copy)	£11	£14
6.1	Request for licence/consent/authority (no other fee specified)	£31	£32
6.2	Application for renewal/variation of an existing licence	£31	£32
6.3	Application for the revocation of licence (no other fee specified)	£31	£32
7.1	On taking attestation of a constable or special constable	£12	£13
7.2	For every oath where no other fee is specified	£31	£32
8.1	Commencing proceedings where no other fee is specified	£284	£292
8.2a	Application for leave/permission to commence proceedings (no other fee specified)	£142	£146
8.2b	Proceedings where leave/permission has been granted	£142	£146
8.3	Contested hearing	£644	£661
9.1	Application for a warrant of entry	£22	£27
9.2	Application for any other warrant (no other fee specified)	£92	£94
10.1	Application for a warrant of commitment	£212	£215
10.2	Application for a warrant of commitment (Child Support Act 1991)	£46	£47

Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Fees Order 2009

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
1	Permission to appeal under rule 21	£250	£257
2	Lodging a notice of reference under rule 28/ an appeal under rule 24	£313	£321
3	Absent owner application under Sch 2 Compulsory Purchase Act 1965	£624	£640
4	Applications to discharge/ modify a restrictive covenant	£999	£1,025
5a	Rights of light application rule 41 to s2 (d) Right of Light Act 1959- Definitive certificate	£775	£795
5b	Rights of light application rule 41 to s2 (d) Right of Light Act1959- Temporary & Definitive certificate	£761	£781
6	Interlocutory or consent order application	£125	£128
7	Interlocutory or consent order rule 50	£165	£162
11a	Hearing to determine entitlement to a restrictive covenant under s84(3A) Law of Property Act 1925	£624	£640
11b	Order without hearing(rule 46) – s84 (e) Land of Property Act 1925(e) discharge /modify restrictive covenant	£166	£161
11c	Substantive hearing of original Application to discharge /modify restrictive covenant	£1,249	£1,281
11d	Engrossing Mins of Order -s84 (e) Land of Property Act 1925 discharge /modify restrictive covenant	£41	£40
12	Hearing or preliminary hearing of reference /appeal (no amount awarded)	£624	£640

First-tier Tribunal (Gambling) Fees Order 2010

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
1.1	On filing an appeal under section 141 of the Gambling Act 2005 in relation to sections 65(2)(a) to (j) of the Act	£4,521	£4,639
1.11	Appeal under s141 of the Gambling Act 2005 – personal management office licence s127 of the Act	£1,816	£1,863
1.12	Appeal under s141 of the Gambling Act 2005 – personal operational function licence s127 of the Act	£908	£932
2	Appeal under s337(1) of the Gambling Act 2005 – order to void a bet s336(1) of the Act	£4,521	£4,639

Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) (JR) (E&W) Fees Order 2011

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
1.1	Application to request a reconsideration at a hearing of permission to apply for Judicial Review	£174	£179
1.1a	Proceed with JR – permission granted at oral hearing	£438	£449
1.2(a)	Permission for JR -where order permitting to proceed given and 1.1(a) has already been paid	£436	£448
1.2(b)	Permission for JR -where order permitting to proceed given	£874	£897
1.3	Permission for JR – where permission given to proceed with JR	£174	£179
2.1	General Application – On notice (where no other fee is specified)	£290	£298
2.2	General Application – By consent or without notice (where no other fee is specified)	£114	£117
2.3	Application for a summons or order for a witness to attend the Tribunal.	£57	£58
3.1a	Copy Documents – ten pages or less	£10	£14
3.2	Copy Document / Electronic copy – each copy.	£10	£14

Non- Contentious Probate Fees Order 2004

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
3.1	Duplicate/second grant for same deceased person	£21	£22
4	Applications for the entry or extension of a caveat	£3	£4
5	Application for a standing search	£3	£4
6	Deposit of wills	£23	£24
7	Inspection of will/other document retained by the registry	£23	£24

Court of Protection Fees Order 2007

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
4	Application to start proceedings or application for permission to start proceedings	£421	£432
5	Filling an appeal	£265	£272
6	Hearing fees	£259	£266
7.1	Copy of a document fee	£5	£8

The Enrolment of Deeds (Fees) Regulations 1994

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
2	Copy of change of name deed	£0.25	£0.50
3	Searches by staff on behalf of the applicant	£5	£11

First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Fees Order 2011

SI Ref	Description	Current	New
3(3)(a)	Appeal determined without a hearing	£80	£82
3(3)(b)	Appeal determined with a hearing	£140	£144

Increases to fees for existing fee-bearing case types in the Property Chamber

Application	Application fee	Hearing fee
Park and mobile homes
Form PH1 – For a written statement as to the terms of agreement	£114	£227
Form PH2 – For an implied terms order, express terms order or an unenforceable express term order	£114	£227
Form PH3 – Determination of any question arising under the Mobile Homes Act 1983	£114	£227
Form PH8 – To secure that a temporarily re-sited home is returned to the original pitch	£114	£227
Form PH9 or PH10 – Determination of a pitch fee	£23	£0
Form PH14 or 15 – Applications relating to site rules	£114	£227
Form PH21 – Revocation of a mobile home site licence where the manager is not a fit and proper person	£114	£227
All other applications	£200	£300
Right to buy appeals
Appeal of decision on Right to Buy application due to property being suitable for elderly people	£114	£227
Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016
Applications brought by local authorities relating to demolition orders, Empty Dwelling Management Orders, Interim and Final Management Orders, and banning orders	£114	£227
All other applications	£200	£300
Leasehold management (apart from Ground Rents)
Application to challenge a leasehold management charge	£114	£227
Applications in relation to determination of liability for administrative charges	£114	£227
Applications to appeal a choice of insurer	£114	£227
Application to appoint a manager for a property	£114	£227
Application to limit or recover payment of landlord’s legal costs for a tribunal claim	£114	£227
Application in relation to liability for service charge	£114	£227
Application to vary a lease	£114	£227
All other leasehold management applications	£200	£300
Leasehold enfranchisement
Applications relating to leasehold enfranchisement	£114	£227
Tenants’ Association applications
Applications relating to tenants’ associations	£114	£227
Electrical Safety Standards
All applications	£200	£300
Right of entry for the Valuation Office Agency
All applications	£114	£227

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 12 June 2026.

The public will be better protected from crime under a major expansion of tough Texas-style courts which will see thousands of offenders monitored by judges.

• New £9 million funding to more than double number of problem-solving courts
• Repeat offenders to be strictly monitored by one judge or risk time in prison
• World-recognised approach has been shown to reduce reoffending by a third

A £9 million funding boost announced today (12 June) will help to more than double the number of Intensive Supervision Courts, an innovative approach to sentencing which aims to cut reoffending by tackling the root causes of crime.

The model recognises that factors like addiction and trauma can be the root causes of repeat offending. It forces low-level offenders to attend weekly sessions and regularly appear before the same judge who will track their behaviour, reserving prison spaces for the dangerous criminals who need them.

Those who fail to attend hearings, continue to misuse substances or refuse to engage in mandatory treatment courses will face tough consequences such as tagging or even time in prison for breaching strict conditions.

These problem-solving courts have reduced reoffending across the world, with countries using this model seeing a reduction in further arrests of one third compared to offenders serving standard sentences – ending the revolving door of prison and cutting crime. 

In Texas alone, the approach helped drive a significant reduction in the prison population and contributed to a 29 per cent drop in crime.  

The expansion will see the number of these pioneering courts rise from 5 to 11 sites across the country, with a specific focus on prolific offenders, women and those with substance misuse issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, David Lammy said:

Prolific offending often goes hand in hand with addiction and trauma, and tackling that can help cut crime.  

These tough new courts ensure offenders are held to account while giving them the tools they need to turn their lives round for good, reducing reoffending and making our streets safer in the process.

Evidence shows offenders on probation are far more likely than the general public to experience addiction and mental health issues, which are proven to increase the likelihood of reoffending.

Further studies show how more than two thirds of women in custody report being victims of domestic abuse, a factor which is a known indicator of crimes. They also reveal how more than half of female offenders have sustained brain injuries while roughly the same percentage have drug addictions.  

Tackling these underlying issues and addressing the root causes of crime helps to prevent more victims and reduce the £18 billion overall cost of reoffending to the taxpayer.

Baroness Gillian Merron Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s and Mental Health said:

We know that custody alone does little to rehabilitate offenders, particularly those whose crimes are driven by addiction or mental health issues.

This initiative will help them turn their lives around by unpacking these issues and giving them the support they need to turn their backs on crime for good.

Through this we can cut reoffending and make communities safer, while getting those often left behind back on their feet and contributing to society again.

The expansion builds on the success of four existing pilot courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside which have seen hundreds of offenders receive tough supervision in a bid to help them leave behind a life of crime. A fifth court has been announced and is due to open in Liverpool later this year.

A recent evaluation of the pilot scheme showed two thirds of offenders did not breach their orders while those with significant addiction issues received a clean drug test two-thirds of the time, clear evidence that the model is working. 

Additionally, probation staff, the judiciary and local services like drug treatment providers have reported that offenders’ drug and alcohol use has reduced and those requiring help with their mental health were now receiving the right support to help cut their offending.

Dr Tom McNeil, CEO of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls 

Too many people are trapped in a revolving door of prison, at substantial cost to the taxpayer and public services. The system isn’t working for them, and it’s not working for society.

That’s why today’s announcement is a significant step in the right direction and follows the evidence on what works to divert women away from custody. In our work with partners across the justice system, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these courts have on tackling underlying issues.

Intensive Supervision Courts target prolific low-level offenders whose needs are better addressed in the community, helping to break the cycle of repeat offending. However, prison will continue to play an important role for serious offenders who pose the highest risk to the public.

The Government is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public.

This includes the biggest expansion of tagging in British history, with thousands more domestic abusers, thieves and burglars now subject to GPS and alcohol monitoring as part of a £100 million crackdown on crime.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 11 June 2026.

Up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

• New counter-drone measures  at  17 prisons at high risk from drones
• Up to 13,000 cell windows to be reinforced with grilles to thwart criminals smuggling illicit items
• Part of Government action to ensure prisons cut crime and protect the public    

Up to 13,000 prison cell windows across England and Wales will be fitted with heavy-duty steel grilles to stop drones smuggling drugs, weapons and mobile phones into jails.

The roll out, backed by £35m of government funding, will see physical security strengthened at 17 high-risk prisons vulnerable to drone activity. The funding will help to crackdown on criminal gangs exploiting jails with increasingly sophisticated drone operations.  

The investment includes installing thousands of grilles to cell windows by spring next year – providing a tough physical barrier to block the delivery of contraband which can wreak havoc behind bars.      

Many of the grilles will be manufactured by prisoners themselves - helping to cut costs and giving offenders skills for the job market so they can leave crime behind.   

It comes as crooks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach with drone sightings around prisons increasing by 770% between 2019 and 2023, not only undermining rehabilitation efforts but threatening the safety of both staff and prisoners.    

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, said:     

Drone smuggling fuels violence, debt and disorder in our prisons. It wrecks rehabilitation and puts lives at risk.

This new investment will further bolster prison defences against drones, building on our work with police to catch and prosecute the criminal gangs responsible. 

To the criminal gangs using drones to target our prisons, my message is clear: we are shutting down your routes, disrupting your operations and bringing offenders to justice. 

Today’s announcement builds on £40 million already invested by the Government to strengthen prison security, including £10 million specifically on counter-drone measures such as external netting and wires.    

A large-scale joint operation between the police and HMPPS has already resulted in over 200 arrests linked to drones smuggling contraband into our prisons.   

In March, a gang that used drones to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into prisons were sentenced to a combined 22 years’ imprisonment, thanks to an investigation by the Metropolitan Police in partnership with the Prison Service.    

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Countering the Threat from Drones in Prisons, Steff Sharp said:   

We welcome this investment as it aligns with our continued pursuit of those using drones to smuggle weapons, drugs, phones and other contraband into prisons. These items fuel organised crime, impact local communities and increase the risk of violence towards staff and inmates within prison walls.

Counter drone activity is complex which is why we are committed to working closely with HMPPS and other partners to make sure this criminality is prevented, intercepted and offenders brought to justice.

Today’s investment supports wider Government efforts to develop counter-drone capabilities, including by learning from Ukrainian expertise developed on the battlefield and from innovators through a competition launched this year to tackle the illegal use of drones in prisons.   

More broadly the Government plans to build 14,000 extra places nationwide by 2031 – with 3,100 already added since July 2024 – to keep streets safer and ensure the country never runs out of prison space again.

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 28 May 2026.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the further appointment without competition of Tim De Meyer as policing member of the Sentencing Council from 1 July 2026 until the earlier of the date of the appointment of his successor or 30 June 2027.

Ministers consulted the Commissioner for Public Appointments before making this appointment without competition. This is to ensure continuity of essential policing expertise on the Council while a full recruitment exercise is undertaken.

Biography

Tim De Meyer has 28 years of policing experience across a range of operational and strategic roles. He has served in the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police. In 2023, he was appointed Chief Constable of Surrey Police. Since 2019, Tim has held the National Police Chiefs’ Council portfolio lead for Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act Disclosure, contributing to national policy and practice through the Criminal Justice Coordination Committee.

He has declared no political activity.

The Sentencing Council for England and Wales was established to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing, while maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The primary role of the council is to issue guidelines on sentencing, which the courts must follow unless it is in the interests of justice not to do so.

The appointment of non-judicial members of the Sentencing Council, is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.